The Central government has announced a new bonanza for women employees. It has increased the maternity leave for women employees to six months and has even announced paid leave for women for two years to take care of their children.

FOR THE last one decade, private sector in the country has witnessed a rapid growth. In fact, some government firms have also been handed over to private companies due to financial reasons. Such growth in private sector has also increased more job opportunities in various fields. But, due to long working schedule, extra hours, less number of leaves, most of the people working in private firms are not satisfied with their jobs.

On the other hand, in comparison to private sector, government employees enjoy much liberty in jobs. If they are not satisfied with some policies, then they floor their demand before the government as well. Most of the time their demands get approved by the government. Due to such differences in job nature, a virtual jealousy can be seen between the two sectors as well.
The Central government has announced a new bonanza for women employees. Now the maternity leave for government women employees has been increased to six months and also announced paid leave for two years to take care of children. The new order, which came into force from September 1, 2008, has increased the maternity leave from the previous 135 days to 180 days, for each of their two children.
Besides, women employees can take paid leave up to two years during their job for taking care of their two children. Termed as ‘child care leave’ the new rule became effective from September 1, 2008. As per the new rule, even if a woman has only one child, she can take leave for two years. A woman employee can take child care leave in any desired combination till her child attends the age of 18 years.
The child care leave can also be taken in continuation of the six-month maternity break. That is a woman employee who has only one child can take paid leave for two-and-half years at a stretch. The women employee can avail child care leave for any of reason, such as sickness, rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination. Importantly, the two year leave will not affect the seniority of women employee and they will get it besides the maternity break. In addition to these leaves, the women employees will enjoy their share of regular leaves.
After the approval of the Sixth Pay Commission, the Centre has gifted the women employees with another surprise package. The new rule from the government can be seen as a step to empower the women. In fact, it will make the government jobs more attractive both for women and men. Hopefully, the semi-government organisations will adopt the new women-friendly rule sooner or later.
But at the same time, women in private sector are usually getting a maximum of 90 days as maternity break. For saving the leaves for child care, women employees often attend office till the last moment of their delivery. Hence, the government should also guide the private firms to increase the maternity leave for women employees. Because the need of a mother for a child does not change with the nature of jobs.